Volume Ii Part 29 (2/2)

349.

THE FREEZING-POINT OF THE WILL.-”Some time the hour will come at last, the hour that will envelop you in the golden cloud of painlessness; when the soul enjoys its own weariness and, happy in patient playing with patience, resembles the waves of a lake, which on a quiet summer day, in the reflection of a many-hued evening sky, sip and sip at the sh.o.r.e and again are hushed-without end, without purpose, without satiety, without need-all calm rejoicing in change, all ebb and flow of Nature's pulse.” Such is the feeling and talk of all invalids, but if they attain that hour, a brief period of enjoyment is followed by ennui. But this is the thawing-wind of the frozen will, which awakes, stirs, and once more begets desire upon desire.-Desire is a sign of convalescence or recovery.

350.

THE DISCLAIMED IDEAL.-It happens sometimes by an exception that a man only reaches the highest when he disclaims his ideal. For this ideal previously drove him onward too violently, so that in the middle of the track he regularly got out of breath and had to rest.

351.

A TREACHEROUS INCLINATION.-It should be regarded as a sign of an envious but aspiring man, when he feels himself attracted by the thought that with regard to the eminent there is but one salvation-love.

352.

STAIRCASE HAPPINESS.-Just as the wit of many men does not keep pace with opportunity (so that opportunity has already pa.s.sed through the door while wit still waits on the staircase outside), so others have a kind of staircase happiness, which walks too slowly to keep pace with swift-footed Time. The best that it can enjoy of an experience, of a whole span of life, falls to its share long afterwards, often only as a weak, spicy fragrance, giving rise to longing and sadness-as if ”it might have been possible”-some time or other-to drink one's fill of this element: but now it is too late.

353.

WORMS.-The fact that an intellect contains a few worms does not detract from its ripeness.

354.

THE SEAT OF VICTORY.-A good seat on horseback robs an opponent of his courage, the spectator of his heart-why attack such a man? Sit like one who has been victorious!

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